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Her words rang through my mind like a morning alarm clock
without the luxury of a snooze button anywhere in sight.
"I am selfish for wanting this... for stepping out of
bounds, for creating turmoil in your life....", she proclaimed boldly with
obvious regret and discouragement in her voice. The position I was now placed
in emotionally was neither envious nor redeemable to even the slightest degree. How
could I quantify her remarks into something that would even begin to
rationalize my feelings? My soul dropped with her pleadings of sacrifice and
dismay like a child being admonished for lying about their favorite flavor of
ice cream. It wasn't fair. Not here and not now are you going to interject
reason into this love story. My heart raced and without careful pretense I
responded, "Selfish? Are you selfish for wanting to be happy... to be
loved by someone who has always cherished you? To have meaningful conversation
in your life?.."
Pausing sharply, I knew I had probably said too much. Her reaction
to my words was immediate and unrehearsed. I had overloaded the circuits of
disciplined routine and crossed the proverbial line of emotional stability. As
she walked away in obvious grief, I could hear her quietly sobbing to herself,
"I am so confused......Why does something so right have to happen
now?" I knew aligning her true feelings with the reality of what was
present was a risky juxtaposition, that I didn't foresee. Before my words were
released to the air shared between our souls, it was over. Apologies for what
had transpired between us were the only remaining participants left to play out
the performances on this tired stage.
As the mortar of my essence began to crumble, I held onto
the promise of what this truly had become. This was more than just romantizing
about the past, more than reliving something good in midst of the routine of
marriage. This was truly that elusive second chance in life...to reconnect,
rediscover and reinvent your life with your one true love. One last opportunity
to play out that hand that was stripped away so unmercifully two decades prior,
so unjustly. We both knew that this moment wouldn't be without tremendous cost.
The obvious challenge remained. Who would be willing and able to burden the
expense to reap the reward of its harvest.
Did either of us trust in the power of love to that extent
any longer? Did we truly believe in this?
I knew the return of her presence in my life would be as
much about my own pruning as it would ever be about my prosperity. I tried to
look away, partly to hide my own tears. I knew that this was all too much to
shoulder and perhaps losing her a second time would indeed become the darkest
finality of sorrow in this lifetime. I pleaded outwardly, "Don't walk.
Don't rationalize this away...." ---- I had just exposed my own
desperation. I was naked, alone & vulnerable. However, I was at peace with
this moment of humility with her, as she had already seen my truest self and
loved me anyhow.
I was torn. As much as love prepares you for its bounties of
richness and beauty, it also requires nothing less than every bit of nerve,
sinew and sacrifice that is contained within your soul....I knew this, but I
was still not prepared for the moment playing out before me. Gazing over to my
love now sitting on the grass in a solemn but gentle peace, I wondered what she
was thinking. I gazed inwardly at my own soul and pondered, "Was I ever
worth any of this to anyone? How could I be worth so much to her now?"...
These discounted thoughts of self-value entered my mind, as tears carved out transparent
rivers of sadness onto the ground below me.
Without warning, she lifted her head and gazed at me.
Piercing my soul, I felt her eyes telling me she was still here.
She was still in this with me now, ready to believe in this dream
--- as least as far as it would ever take us both. Bracing the forces of fear, resentment and rejection, I walked to her. I took her hand and we both smiled.
We had passed the first test of true love returning...
How we
would fair in the next arena of battle was yet unknown...
